Store Sales Data For The Week Is Strong But Mixed

Once again we are starting to see the two leading weekly store sales indexes diverge from one another.

The ICSC-Goldman store sales index was little changed for the week ending August 31. It is now up 2.1% from a year ago (4 week MA) as compared with up 2.3% Y/Y the week prior. The report cites summer malaise for the slowing sales.

The Redbook store sales index had a strong weekly increase and is now up 3.9% year over year (4 week MA) compared to up 3.7% Y/Y the week prior. Redbook saw strength in back-to-school sales, and adds that this week does not yet include sales from Labor Day weekend.